Lacrosse Goalie Head

ABSTRACT

A lacrosse goalie head includes a unique open arcuate lattice structure and skull shape frame.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a lacrosse goalie head and, more particularly, to a lacrosse goalie head that allows for improved stiffness in its head across the top that provides greater rigidity beyond current Goalie Heads on the market which minimizes ball deflection and enhances handling of a lacrosse ball within a given predefined length, width, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lacrosse goalie heads are used by goalies in the game of LaCrosse and are larger than the heads used by other players to assist in keeping the lacrosse ball out of the net the goalie is protecting. There are standard regulations for the goalie head, for example, the head must measure between 10-12 inches at its widest point with sidewalls no bigger than 2 inches. Measured top to bottom the goalie's head cannot exceed 16.5 inches. Current lacrosse goalie head designs typically take the form of an open frame having a top cross surface, a base with a concave interior surface that defines a ball rest, and a pair of sidewalls that diverge from the base to the top cross surface. The top cross surface, the base, and the sidewalls are integrally formed into a unitary solid body or head frame. The base is integrally formed with a throat portion. The throat portion has a female end socket formed therein for receiving a conventional stick which varies in length depending on the age bracket of the players.

The head, base, cross surface and/or throat portion of current lacrosse goalie heads have holes therein for stringing lace therethrough to form netting on a backside of the head frame. A front side of the head frame has an open area to receive a lacrosse ball therein.

The female end socket and the throat portion define a stick/head axis and/or an axis of lateral symmetry of the head for most heads on the market today. The central axis defines a plane through the center of the head. The plane lies parallel to the centerline of the lacrosse stick head.

The sidewalls of current lacrosse goalie heads either lie generally perpendicular to the axis or have a slight continuous arc shape from the cross surface to the base and have a stiffening rib formed in the sidewalls to provide the requisite strength. The rib is typically formed at about the midpoint of the sidewall and only extends slightly outwardly from the sidewall. Some lacrosse goalie stick heads have sidewalls that are angled slightly outward to aid entry of the lacrosse ball into the head.

Double-wall, synthetic lacrosse heads revolutionized the game of lacrosse. In comparison to the traditional wooden single-wall heads, the synthetic heads imparted a balance, lightness, maneuverability, and flexibility never-before experienced by lacrosse players. These performance advantages greatly enhanced players' skills such as throwing, catching, cradling, and scooping, and brought the sport of lacrosse to new levels of speed and excitement.

A lacrosse goalie uses the goalie stick head to either prevent incoming lacrosse balls from entering the goal or deflect incoming balls by catching them or deflecting those that and prevent them from entering the goal. Due to the degree of competition and the superior skill among present day lacrosse players, a lighter weight, easier handling lacrosse stick is desired to the lacrosse player. A lightweight lacrosse goalie stick will provide the lacrosse goalie with a lacrosse stick enabling optimum speed and handling. Also, strength and durability must be maintained. There is a continued need to improve the goalie's lacrosse head that would increase the goalie's ability to successfully minimize unwanted ball deflection or control the incoming lacrosse balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to improve a lacrosse goalie head.

Another object is to provide a lacrosse goalie head configured to have a side walls, wherein each side wall has a generally obtuse portion between an upper cross section and lower base section defining a head smaller width profile lower section and a larger width profile upper section to provide improved pocket for improved handling of lacrosse balls.

Still another object is provide a lacrosse goalie head with the ability to assist a lacrosse goalie in the control of and guiding a lacrosse ball into the lacrosse goalie head.

Yet another object is to provide a lacrosse goalie head with increased strength.

Another object of the present invention to provide a uniquely tapered cross section of a lacrosse goalie head having a forward leading edge and a trailing rear edge to provide a scoop.

Another object is to provide unwanted deflection of the goalie head.

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a lacrosse goalie head with the improved characteristics mentioned. The lacrosse goalie head has a top cross section wall, a base section, a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall wherein each sidewall has a generally obtuse portion between the top cross section and base section defining a head smaller width profile lower section and a larger width profile upper section. The lacrosse goalie head enables optimum speed and handling by a player while retaining the required strength and durability.

The top cross section wall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, in the user section form a head frame while the base section, the first sidewall and second sidewall form a throat portion with a female end socket formed therein receivable connect to a lacrosse stick.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a Lacrosse Goalie Stick Head;

FIG. 2 is a front end elevational view of a Lacrosse Goalie Stick Head;

FIG. 3 is a back end elevational view of a Lacrosse Goalie Stick Head;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of a Lacrosse Goalie Stick Head;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational of a Lacrosse Goalie Stick Head;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a Lacrosse Goalie Stick Head; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a Lacrosse Goalie Stick Head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures which illustrate a lacrosse goalie head 10 in accordance with the present invention. The lacrosse goalie head 10 is preferably formed using an injection molding process, however, other processes such as structural foam molding or the like may also be utilized. The lacrosse goalie head 10 is preferably formed from a plastic material, however, other materials such as urethane, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, or a combination thereof may also be utilized. Various directional terms, such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “outer”, “forwardly”, “inwardly”, and “rear” are used herein to describe the head as illustrated in the drawings. However, it should be understood that these directional terms are not intended to be limiting and are only used for purposes of illustration.

Referring to the drawings, the present invention is directed to a lacrosse goalie head 10. The lacrosse goalie head 10 includes a transverse base cross member 12 at least a portion of which is generally linear, a transverse upper cross member 14 at least a portion of which is generally linear, sidewalls 16 and 18 interconnecting transverse base cross member 12 and transverse upper cross member 14 to form a generally skull-shaped frame having a front surface 17 and a back surface 19. Sidewalls 16 opposes sidewall 18 wherein each sidewall 16, 18 includes a generally nonlinear obtuse portion between the upper cross member 14 and base cross member 14 defining a smaller width profile lower section 20 (throat) and a larger width profile upper section 22 (scoop). The throat 20 has a width of about 6.5 inches (16.51 cm) and the scoop 22 a width of about 9.5 inches (41.91 cm). By virtue of the unique configuration of the head 10 keeping within regulated head surface area guidelines, a frame height of about 16.5 inches and scoop outer diameter width of about 12.15 inches and inner diameter width of about 10/2 inches can be achieved, which is significantly more than designs currently on the market.

A stick (not shown) can be attached to a stick receiving portion 24 which extends from base cross member 12 and includes spatially oriented cutouts 25 to reduce overall weight. A string web (not shown) can be attached to the rear portion of the head through string holes 26 in the sidewalls 16 and 18, transverse base cross member 12, and transverse upper cross member 14. There are a recessed sections 32, 34, 36 and 38 which are interconnected and extend along a back portion of the transverse base cross member 12, the transverse upper cross member 14 and sidewalls 16 and 18, respectively, and thus form a continuous recessed surface adjacent the back surface 17. The recessed sections 32, 34, 36 and 38 have the holes 26 spaced there along for the string web. A continuous rib 40 is defined about the perimeter of the head 10 adjacent the recessed sections 32, 34, 36 and 38 medially in the sidewalls 16 and 18, transverse base cross member 12 and transverse upper cross member 14. On an opposing side of the rib 40 are widening portions 42, 44, 46 and 48 of the transverse base cross member 12, the transverse upper cross member 14 and sidewalls 16 and 18, respectively.

In widening portion 44, there is also another recessed portion 54. The transverse upper cross member 14 provides for increased strength and rigidity leading to less unwanted ball deflection. This aids in weight reduction of the head 10 and lends to the overall weight and balance.

As can be seen in the side views FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, each of the sidewalls 16 and 18 include a uniquely designed open arcuate lattice structure 56 and 58, respectively, which each has a large end 66 and 68 adjacent the transverse base cross member 12 and terminates in a small end 76 and 78 more than midway in the respective sidewall 16 and 18. Each open arcuate lattice structure 56 and 58 is tapered from the large end 66 and 68 to the small end 76 and 78, respectively. The open arcuate lattice structures 56 and 58 not only lend to weight and balance but also to performance in the rigidity and dynamics of the overall design. As can be seen, the open arcuate lattice structure 56 and 58 are tapered from wider to narrow moving from the transverse base cross member 12 forward. The open arcuate lattice structure 56 and 58 structure is a preferred embodiment of the invention providing an opening in the sidewalls 16 and 18 for a more balanced head 10 with the required support, strength, and durability desired.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth above, it is contemplated some aspects of the design may be varied to still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the number, size, or shape of the open arcuate lattice structure 56 and 58 openings might be varied foe men's, women's, or children's lacrosse.

Referring again to the sidewalls 16 and 18, open arcuate lattice structure 56 and 58, opening sizes range from 0.635 cm wide to 0.318 cm. A total greater open area of surface is provided by the current configuration.

The openings 26 required for stringing the webbing material are approximately 0.635 cm by 0.3175 cm. Accordingly, the total area of openings in each sidewall 16 and 18, including string holes and open arcuate lattice structure 56 and 58, spans about 40% of each entire sidewall 16 and 18.

The lattice-structure 56, 58 of the goalie head 10 located adjacent to the transverse base cross member 12 and stick receiving portion 24 has an open area of approximately 60%, with the solid structure through this area of approximately 40%. The open lattice-structure 56, 58 of the side walls 16, 18 results in a light weight structure, since excess material has been removed from a neutral axis of the side walls 16, 18 in this area. A finite element analysis of the goalie head 10 was employed to remove material to optimize the head 10.

The head side walls 16, 18 have a unique transition from where the sidewalls 16, 18 that are close to the the transverse base cross member 12 and stick receiving portion 24, i.e., in an area of the throat 20, are roughly perpendicular to the x-y plane 100 made by the string holes 26 and transitions to where the sidewalls 16, 18 are at roughly a 45 degree angle to the plane 100 in an area of the scoop 22. Structurally, this results in approximately 30% increase in (transverse) stiffness across the width of the head 10 compared to other available goalie heads.

The head side walls 16, 18 and their lattice-structure 56, 58 allow for improved stiffness in the (depth) direction perpendicular to the plane 100 (the depth is shown as the 2.5″ dimension). The increased moment of inertia and section modulus of the goalie head 10 results in approximately 70% increase in stiffness in the depth direction compared to commercially other available goalie heads.

The material forming the lacrosse head 10 of the invention must have physical properties providing, inter alia, toughness, impact resistance, and limited flexibility as well as shatterproof qualities. A preferred material is a moldable polymer 97% Dupont ST-701 plastic mixed with 3% Graphene, creating an extremely stiff and durable head, while maintaining lighter weight. The lacrosse head 10 may be formed by injection molding of one or more similar synthetic polymeric materials.

The present invention provides increased control for a goaltender over incoming lacrosse balls and thereby increasing the goaltender's performance in defending a lacrosse goal. The above-described apparatus and manufacturing method, to one skilled in the art, is capable of being adapted for various purposes and is not limited to the following applications: lacrosse goalie heads, lacrosse heads in general, and other similar heads used in other sporting activities. The above-described invention can also be varied without deviating from the true scope of the invention. While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, variations or alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lacrosse goalie head, which includes: a transverse base cross member at least a portion of which is generally linear; a transverse upper cross member at least a portion of which is generally linear; a pair of opposing sidewalls interconnecting said transverse base cross member and said transverse upper cross member to collectively form a generally skull-shaped frame having a front surface and a back surface, each said opposing sidewall includes a generally nonlinear obtuse portion between said upper cross member and said base cross member such that said sidewalls and said transverse base cross member define a smaller width profile lower throat section and said sidewalls and said transverse upper cross member define a larger width profile upper scoop section, and said transverse base cross member has a greater height than said transverse upper cross member and sidewalls and wherein said head sidewalls have a an inner face which transitions approximate said throat section being generally perpendicular to a plane defined through spatially oriented string holes of said head to obtuse relative to said plane in an area of said upper scoop section; a stick receiving portion extending from said transverse base cross member; a continuous rib extends about a perimeter of said generally skull-shaped frame between said front surface and said back surface adjacent recessed sections medially in said sidewalls, transverse base cross member and transverse upper cross member; said recessed sections include a plurality of said spatially oriented string holes about said generally skull-shaped frame to receive a string web; a widening portion extends about said generally skull-shaped frame between said continuous rib and said front surface; and wherein each said sidewall includes an open arcuate lattice structure characterized such that each open lattice structure has a larger end adjacent said transverse base cross member and terminates in a small end more than midway in length of said sidewall.
 2. The lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, wherein said transverse upper cross member includes a second recessed portion extending substantially lengthwise.
 3. The lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, wherein said stick receiving portion includes at least one spatially oriented cutout.
 4. The lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, wherein said an open arcuate lattice structure is tapered from said large end to said small end.
 5. The lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, wherein an area of an open surface in said opposing sidewalls spans more than 60% of the entire area of said sidewalls.
 6. The lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, which is made of about 97% Dupont ST-701 plastic mixed with about 3% Graphene.
 7. The lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, wherein said head sidewalls have a unique transition being approximately perpendicular to a plane defined through said string holes in said lower throat section and at being approximately at 135 degree angle to the plane in an area of said upper scoop section.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled) 